GardenWeb

I came recently came across a great forum called GardenWeb. I'm so glad that I discovered this early in the process. The kitchen in the second to last photo has 2x6 tiles instead of the typical 3x6. I like the look.















This kitchen has "penny" tiles at the back splash. The thought on the forums is that it's going to be dated soon. A back splash is easier to change than say the cabinets.
















































This kitchen has 2x6 subway tiles instead of the typical 3x6. I like the look














I really like the orange pendants in this last photo. It's a great way to incorporate color without being committed to it. Also, there was a discussion on GardenWeb that answered my previous question about mixing and matching finishes. Yes, it can be done as long as the formality is the same. So I think I will go with brushed nickle for the kitchen faucet and hardware on the cabinets and ORB for the light fixtures. I could do ORB for the hardware too, I haven't decided.

Beautiful Kitchens

This kitchen comes from Kitchen Sync. I'm intrigued by the subway tiles. I can't decide if that's a look that I would want in my kitchen. I feel like I am more likely to include this type of tile in a bathroom. I really like the glass cabinets but maybe not that many.

The open shelves above and around the fridge is a nice touch. Perfect for storing all those cookbooks. Even with so many recipe organizers online, a kitchen must have cookbooks



















How cool is this spice rack from House Beautiful! But it's one more thing that would need dusting.
This kitchen was posted over at Cote de Texas. Another kitchen with subway tiles yet has a completely different look than the kitchen posted above.

















Check this awesome kitchen from Henry Gordon Jones. I love white cabinets with black/gray counters and the island of a different material. I think I'm probably sold on Soapstone.

That one item

I'm looking for that one item that will inspire the other features we put into the house. The one that will help make all the other decisions a little easier because I'll know the style and finish I'm looking for.

For example, I love this light fixture for the dining room. I love the warmth that the golden shade brings and the oil rubbed bronze finish. This is a terrible picture, but
imagine three of these pendants hanging over the kitchen island. Again, golden shade with oil- rubbed bronze finish.

Can I mix and match finishes? I really like the oil-rubbed bronze but not for the whole house and I've read that it's going out of fashion and that brass is coming back in. Eww brass, really?
My thought is to have brushed nickel be the main finish for the house on door knob's, kitchen hardware and bathroom fixtures but for a few pieces or maybe for a bathroom, I'd like to incorporate the oil-rubbed bronze finish in a few places.

This is also my dream vanity from Pottery Barn. I would never pay what they're asking for, but I'll print up a photo and bring it with me while shopping.